Article transporting apparatus



Aug. 26, 1958 M. H. DUVAL ETAL ARTICLE TRANSPORTING APPARATUS 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Nov. 15, 1951 A JHWMIIVD INVENTOR.MONTAGUE H.DUVAL BY CARL M.VITZ mW /w Attorney. A,

I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m W .2 w n WHV I M U m MA NC 0 W 29 743 5 W F f w m am 3 a w lrla m m 7. k jm 9 O fi L 4 F H v v Fig.2

Aug. 26, 1958 M. H. DUVAL ET AL ARTICLE TRANSPORTING APPARATUS 5Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Nov. 15, 1951 INVENTOR. MONTAGU- BY CARLM.VITZ

E H.DUVAL Attorney Aug. 26, 1958 M. H. DUVAL ET AL ARTICLE TRANSPORTINGAPPARATUS Original Filed Nov. 15, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.MONTAGUE H.DUVAL BY CARL M.V|TZ

Aug. 26, 1958 M. H. DUVAL ETAL ARTICLE TRANSPORTING APPARATUS OriginalFiled Nov. 15, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.8

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MONTAGUE H.DUVAL s 2 BY CARL M. vrrz WWWW Attorney United States ateZfidflidd Patented Aug. 26, 1%58 ARTICLE TRANSPORTIN G APPARATUSMontague H. Duval, New York, N. Y., and Carl M. Vitz, York, Pa.,assignors, by mesne assignments, to (Iapitol Products Corporation,Mechanicsburg, Pan, a corporation of Pennsylvania Original applicationNovember 15, 1951, Serial No. 256,436, new Patent No. 2,741,384, datedApril 10, 1956. Divided and this application August 25, 1955', SerialNo. 530,466

4 Claims. (Cl. 198-34) This invention relates generally to articlehandling and conveying apparatus and, more particularly, to an apparatusfor periodically transferring articles, being transported by a conveyor,onto another conveyor in segregated rows of a predetermined number ofarticles, loading successive segregated rows onto an elevator andunloading A the articles at a different elevation in rows onto areceiver.

The present invention is of particular utility in the bakery industry inthe handling of bread after it comes from the oven and has beendepanned. It is customary to arrange the depanned bread on racks for aircooling or to deliver it to the conveyors of a bread cooler of one kindor another, as for example, a bread cooler such as is disclosed in U. S.Patent 2,171,922. For purpose of illustration, the invention is shownand described as applied to a bread cooler with the bread beingdelivered to, the several superposed conveyor paths in successive rows.

An important feature is to provide a conveying system for presentingarticles in position to be pushed on an elevator or other carrier insuccessive rows of the required or desired number of articles in a row,and which includes means for uniformly spacing the individual articlesof a row and for periodically presenting a row at a time. In other wordsthe articles, for example loaves of bread after being depanned, areconveyed in a single file on a continuously traveling conveyor. Theseloaves are haphazardly spaced and some may be in actual contact witheach other. In treating the hot loaves in the tunnel of a cooler andconditioner, it is desirable, in order to handle a maximum number ofloaves in a minimum of space and at the same time obtain most efficientcooling and effect other economies, to convey the loaves through thetunnel in successive rows of four, ten, sixteen, or any other suitablenumber of loaves, and to space the individual loaves of each row auniformly small distance apart. In its more specific aspects the presentinvention, therefore, contemplates novel means for arranging thehaphazardly delivered loaves in successive segregated rows of a desirednumber of loaves in position to be pushed onto an elevator or othercarrier, with the individual loaves of each row in uniform spacedrelation with respect to each other.

Another object is to provide a conveying system as aforesaid and atransferring system comprising an elevatorwith a loader for pushing therows of articles, presented by the conveying system, onto at least onetray and preferably successively to a plurality of trays of theelevator, and wherein the loading pusher controls the operation of theconveyin system to present a row of articles after each operation of thepusher.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description and from the drawings, which are intended for thepurpose of illustration only, and in which Figure 1 is a view of theinvention in end elevation;

Figures 2 and 2A are side elevations as viewed from the left in Figure lwith the elevator trays and the enclosing casing shown in section;

Figures 3 and 3A are side elevations as viewed from the right in Figure1 with the enclosing casing shown in section;

Figure 4- is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view showing thesupport and guide arrangement for the load ing pusher of the invention;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the various elements of theinvention; 1

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the unloading pusher and itsroller guide support, with parts shown in section;

Fi ure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the invention taken on theline 7-'7 and the upward extension thereof of Figure 1 and looking inthe direction of the arrows; v

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of valve and valve operatingmechanism shown in Figure 3A;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the valve operating means at the lefthand side of Figure 5 and shown in a diiferent operating position;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the linkage of Figure7 in a difierent operating position.

In the drawings, the invention is shown as applied to a bread cooler andconditioner which includes a longitudinally extending tunnel A, Figures2A and 3A, preferably rectangular in transverse cross section, and inwhich are disposed a number of horizontally disposed endless conveyors10, i1 and 12 arranged in superposed relation, with the top or breadcarrying run traveling in the direction of the arrows. Since theinvention is primarily concerned with the infeed end of the bread coolerand conditioner, only the bread receiving end portion of the tunnel A isshown.

The tunnel A may be provided with suitable cooling and air conditioningmeans,- well known in the art, in order to condition the bread fordelivery to the slicing and wrapping machine, or the tunnel A mayconstitute a tempering chamber for partially cooling the loaves followedby final complete cooling in a vacuum Zone, as in Patent No. 2,171,922issued September 5, 1939 to M. H. Duval et al.

The endless conveyors ll 11 and 12, or other suitable means, forconveying the loaves through the tunnel 1., are of a width toaccommodate a plurality of loaves abreast, ten for example. In Figures2A and 3A there are shown three conveyors 1d, 11 and 12, however anydesired number of conveyors may be employed, the feeding means beingsuitably modified to accommodate the number of conveyors. By providing aplurality of superposed conveyors, each adapted to receive successiverows of loaves ten abreast, it will be appreciated that a maximum numberof loaves per unit of space may be handled.

The bread cooler and conditioner is provided at the infeed end of thetunnel A with an upright chamber B housing the means for feeding the hotloaves to the conveyors 10, 11 and 12. The tunnel A is preferablysupported in a somewhat elevated position above the floor F, while thechamber B rests on the floor F and has its upper portion opening to thetunnel A.

Disposed in the lower portion of the chamber B is a transverselyextending horizontal endless infeed conveyor 13, as shown in Figures 1,2 and 3, onto which successive loaves are delivered and by which theyare conveyed into the lower portion of the chamber B. The conveyor 13 ispreferably arranged to project through the respective sides of thechamber B so that by suitable arrangement of the drive mechanism, theloaf feeding mechanism and other related equipmenutne leaves may bedelivered to the infeed conveyor 13 from either side of the cooler andconditioner. In the present instance, the arrangement is such that theloaves are delivered to the conveyor 13 from the right side of theapparatus as viewed in Figure l, and the conveyor 13 is arranged to bedriven with its top run traveling in the direction of the arrow in thesame figure.

The conveyor 13 is trained over sprockets 14 and 15 mounted,respectively, on shafts 16 and 17. The shafts 16 and 17 are journaled inthe opposite ends of a pair of spaced transversely extending framemembers 18 and 19 supported in any suitable manner above the floor F, asby standards 20.

Hot loaves of bread from an oven (not shown), after being depanned arecarried by a suitable conveyor in single file to a downwardly slopinggravity roller conveyor 21, Figure 1, which terminates opposite andspaced from the receiving end of the infeed conveyor 13. Between theroller conveyor 21 and the infeed conveyor 13 is an endless conveyor 22trained over a plurality of guide rollers 23 including a driving roller24 mounted on a shaft 25. The top run of the conveyor 22 is disposed ina horizontal plane with one end adjacent the discharge end of thegravity roller conveyor 21 and its opposite end adjacent the receivingend of the infeed conveyor 13. The conveyor 22 is arranged to beoperated intermittently, as and for the purpose to be later explained,with its top run traveling in the direction of the arrow to deliver theloaves, received from the gravity roller conveyor 21, to the infeedconveyor 13.

The infeed conveyor 13 is also operated intermittently, as and for thepurpose later described, and the motive power for the conveyors 13 and22 is provided by the motor 26. Power is transmitted from the motor 26to the conveyor 13, through a suitable gear reducer 27, by the belt 28connecting the motor and gear reducer, and a sprocket chain 29 trainedover a sprocket 30 on the gear reducer shaft and a sprocket 31 mountedon an extension of the conveyor shaft 16, as best shown in Figure 2.

The rate of travel and the intermittent operation of the conveyors 13and 22 is related with the operation of a pusher member 32 arranged forreciprocation across the infeed conveyor 13 in a direction normal to thedirection of travel of the conveyor 13 whereby a row of ten loaves ispushed 011 the conveyor 13. The pusher assembly will, therefore, be nowdescribed and the conveyor assembly will be adverted to later in thedescription.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, a pair of transversely spacedlongitudinally extending roller guide tracks 33 and 34 are disposedabove the infeed conveyor 13. The guide tracks 33 and 34 are secured attheir forward ends to a frame member 35 extending transversely of thechamber B. Near their rearward ends, the guide tracks 33 and 34 aresupported by the sloping brackets 36 and 37, respectively, which aresecured at their upper forward ends to a frame member 38 disposed abovethe frame member 35 and extending transversely of the chamber B.

The pusher member 32 is provided with a pair of transversely spacedupwardly projecting wings 39 and 40, each of which carries adjacent itsupper edge a pair of laterally outwardly extending spaced stub shafts41. Mounted on the outer ends of the stub shafts 41 are rollers 42received in the guide tracks 33 and 34 whereby the pusher member 32 ispendently supported and movable forward and back across the infeedconveyor 13. The guide tracks 33 and 34 are of suificient length topermit the pusher member on its forward stroke to push the row of loavesoff the infeed conveyor 13 and across a bridge member 43 which bridgesthe space between the top run of the infeed conveyor 13 and an elevatorE, to be later described; and on its retracted stroke to move to aposition rearward of the infeed conveyor 13 to permit another row ofloaves to be conveyed into the chamber B.

The motive means for reciprocating the pusher member 32 is preferably anair operated cylinder 44, though it is apparent that other means may beemployed. The air operated cylinder 44 is pendently and pivotallysupported by a bracket 45 mounted on the left side of the chamber B, asviewed in Figure 1. A connecting rod 46 has at one end a pivotalconnection with'the free end of the piston rod 47 of the cylinder 44 andat its other end a rigid connection with a transversely extendingrotatably mounted rock shaft 48 whereby reciprocation of the piston rod4'!" effects alternate clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of therock shaft 48. Rock shaft 48 is mounted in bearings 49 and 50 carried,respectively, by brackets 51 and 52 which are rigidly secured atopposite sides of the chamber B.

A pair of transversely spaced rocker arms 53 and 54 are connected at oneend to the shaft 48 for movement therewith. At their opposite ends, therocker arms 53 and 54 are provided, respectively, with elongated slots55 and 56 arranged to engage pins 57 and 58, respectively, which aresecured to and extend inwardly from the upper edge of the wings 39 and40 of pusher member 32. Thus, as the shaft 48 turns, first in onedirection and then in the other, the rocker arms 53 and 54 advance andretract the pusher member 32 across the infeed conveyor 13.

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown diagrammatically, a pair of lines59 and 60 communicating at one of their respective ends with oppositeends of the cylinder 44 and arranged at their respective opposite endsthrough a four way valve 61, for selective communication with pressuresupply line 62 and exhaust line 63. The four way valve 61 isconventional in design and need not be described. A cam 64, mounted on ashaft operated by the motor 66, controls the actuation of the valve 61.

The valve 61 is normally in position to provide communication betweenthe pressure supply line 62 and line 611 leading to the upper end ofcylinder 44, and between exhaust line 63 and line 59 leading to thelower end of cylinder 44, whereby the pusher membe 32' is retained inits retracted position. The cam shoulder 67 of cam 64 effects movementof the valve 61 from its normal position, to a position providingcommunication between the pressure supply line 62 and line 59, andbetween exhaust line 63 and line 60, whereby the pusher member 32 isadvanced to push a row of loaves off the infeed conveyor 13 onto theelevator E. The dwell of the cam shoulder 67 is relatively short so thatthe valve 61 quickly returns to its normal position. As a result, thepusher member 32 is quickly returned to its retracted position where itis retained for a sufiicient length of time for another roW of loaves tocollect on the infeed conveyor 13.

In actual practice, cam 64 is one of a bank of earns operated by themotor 66, for synchronously actuating various components of the breadcooler and conditioner, however, since they are not essential to anunderstanding of the present invention, they are not shown. Whiledetails of the cam, such as its dwell and its speed of rotation may bealtered, it ispreferred in the present instance and will hereinafter beconsidered for purpose of illustration, to make one complete revolutionevery twenty seconds. Thus, operation of the pusher member 32 isinitiated every twenty seconds, and the dwell of the cam shoulder 67 issuch that the advancing and retracting movement of the pusher memberconstitutes only a small fraction of the twenty second period, so thatfor the greater part of the twenty second period it is retained in itsretracted position to permit a row of loaves to be collected on theinfeed conveyor 13.

Reverting again to the conveyors 13 and 22, the drive thereforpreviously described, includes a variable speed pulley 68, Figure 2, andis adjusted so that the top run of the infeed conveyor 13 makes onetravel in less than twenty seconds. By one travel is meant the distanceres quired to convey the first of a row of loaves from the infeed end ofconveyor 13, or the right hand end as viewed in Figure 1, to theposition occupied by the loaf marked 69 in the same figure, therebyassuring disposition of a row of loaves in front of the pusher member32.

In order to stop conveyor 13 when the first of a row of loaves hasreached position 69, a normally closed limit switch 70 is arranged toopen the circuit to motor 26. The means for actuating the switch 70includes a cam 71 which is rotated from conveyor shaft 17 throughappropriate sprocket and sprocket chain mechanism, indi cated as a wholeby the numeral 72, and gear reducer 73, so that cam 71 makes onecomplete revolution for each travel, as above defined, of the infeedconveyor 13. The motor 26 and infeed conveyor 13 remain stopped with arow of loaves on the conveyor 13 in position to be pushed off by thepusher member 32, until the latter has pushed olf such row of loaves andis ready to return to its retracted position, as will now be described.

Mounted on one of the sloping brackets 36, 37, in the present instanceon bracket 37, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, is a normally open limitswitch 74 in circuit with the motor 26. The limit switch 74 is disposedin the path of a pivoted lug 75 mounted on the swinging pusher arm 54,and is so located as to be closed upon contact by the lug 75 on thereturn travel of the pusher member 32, whereby the motor 26 and conveyor13 are restarted. On the forward stroke of the pusher member 32 the lug75 pivots to pass freely over the arm of the limit switch 74, however,on the return stroke, a stop member prevents pivotal movement of the lug75 over the switch arm, thereby effecting movement of the switch armfrom its normally open position. The normally open limit switch 74 is,of course, only momentarily closed, but this is of suflicient durationto permit the cam 71 to be moved out of contact with normally closedlimit switch 70, whereby the latter closes a circuit to the motor 26permitting the infeed conveyor to run until cam 71 again opens normallyclosed switch 70.

It is important also that the individual loaves of the successive rowscollected on the infeed conveyor 13 be spaced, and preferably uniformlyspaced, in order that every side of each loaf be exposed for propercooling and conditioning in their travel along the conveyor paths 10, 11and 12. To accomplish this, the feeder conveyor 22 is operated at aslightly slower speed than the infeed conveyor 13. As best shown inFigure l, the feeder conveyor 22 is operated from the infeed conveyorshaft 17 by means of a belt 76 trained over a pulley 77, Figure 3,mounted on an extension of shaft 17, and a pulley 78 mounted on anextension of the feeder conveyor drive shaft 2'5. The pulley 78 isslightly larger in diameter than the pulley 77 whereby feeder conveyor22 travels at a slightly slower speed than infeed conveyor 13. Thepulley 78 is preferably a variable speed pulley of any well knownsuitable type, whereby the relative speeds of infeed conveyor 13 andfeeder conveyor 22 may be altered to obtain any desired spacing betweenthe individual loaves of a row of loaves.

During the interval that operation of conveyors 13 and 22 isinterrupted, as hereinbefore brought out, at which time the pushermember 32 is pushing a row of loaves off the infeed conveyor 13, anumber of loaves will accumulate on the roller conveyor 21 adjacent thefeeder conveyor 22. This insures having a supply of loaves on hand readyto be picked up by the feeder conveyor 22 each time operation thereofrecommences.

Operation of feeder conveyor 22 and infeed conveyor 13 startssimultaneously. However, it is important that feeder conveyor 22 stopsslightly before infeed conveyor 13 to permit the last loaf of a row toclear the side wall structure of the chamber 3 and to travel well intothe chamber B in the path of the pusher member 32, thereby preventingcrushing of the last loaf I against the side wall structure as thepusher member 32 comes forward. This is conveniently accomplishedthrough a clutch and cam arrangement which will now be described.

Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the clutch includes a driving member 79mounted on the extended portion of conveyor shaft 17 for rotationtherewith and for slidable movement axially therealong, and includesalso a driven member 80 freely mounted on shaft 17. A spring 31 normallyretains the clutch members '79 and 80 in engagement whereby the latterclutch member will rotate with conveyor shaft 17. The pulley 77, whichas previously described forms part of the driving connection foractuating the conveyor 22, is rigidly secured with the driven clutchmember Stl.

The means for disengaging the clutch members 79 and includes a clutchlever 82 pivotally mounted at :33 on a support member 34 carried by theframe memhere 18 and 19. The clutch lever 82 is provided with a yoke 85arranged in well known manner to move the driving clutch member 79axially along the shaft 17 while permitting it to rotate with shaft 17.While not shown, this may be conveniently accomplished by providing theyoke 35' with inwardly projecting pins or lugs which extend into aperipheral groove formed in the clutch member 79. The end of the clutchlever 82 opposite the yoke 85 carries a cam arm 86 provided at its freeend with a cam follower 87 arranged to be engaged by a cam 88 mounted onone end of the shaft of the gear reducer 73, on the other end of whichshaft is mounted the cam 71 for actuating the limit switch 76, aspreviously described. Upon engagement of the cam 88 with the camfollower 87, the cam arm 86 is moved in an upward arcuate path about thepivot 33, whereby the yoke 85 of the clutch lever 32 pulls the clutchmember 79 out of engagement with clutch member 811, as shown in Figure3, to interrupt operation of feed conveyor 22.

Cam 88 is so disposed on the shaft of the gear reducer 73 to functionslightly in advance of cam 71, which latter cam, as previouslydescribed, through switch 70 interrupts operation of the motor 26. Thedwell of cam 83 is such that the clutch members 79 and 80 are held outof engagement at least until the cam 71 causes the motor 26 to bestopped. Thus, the conveyor 22 is arranged to stop slightly beforeconveyor 13, and both conveyors will restart simultaneously, as beforedescribed, upon closing of switch 74 to close a circuit to motor '3Having described the means for introducing successive rows of spacedloaves into the chamber B and for pushing successive rows off the infeedconveyor 13 onto the elevator E, there will now be described theconstruction and operation of the elevator E.

The elevator E is disposed between the rearward ends of the tunnelconveyors 10, 11 and 12, and the forward side of the infeed conveyor 13,with the upper portion of the elevator adjacent the conveyors 10, 11 and12, and the lower portion adjacent the infeed conveyor 13:, as bestshown in Figures 2 and 2A. The elevator E includes a pair oftransversely extending shafts 89 and 90 suitably journaled in uprightelevator side frame members and disposed, respectively, near the upperand lower ends of the chamber B.

Referring to Figures 2A and 3A, the upper elevator shaft 89 has mountedthereon at its opposite ends, sprockets 91 and 92, and referring toFigures 2 and 3, the lower elevator shaft 911 has mounted thereon at itsopposite ends, sprockets 93 and 94. An endless chain is trained over thesprockets 91 and 93 at one side of the elevator E and endless chain 96is trained over sprockets 92 and 94 at the other side of the elevator E.Secured to one of the runs of each of the chains 95 and 96 arerespective brackets 97, to which brackets are attached a plurality ofvertically spaced transversely extending horizontal trays 9), 1% and191. The trays should be the same in number as there are tunnelconveyors, and in the present instance, there being three conveyors 10,11 and 12, three elevator trays 99, and 101 are shown. The trays 99, 100and 101 are spaced the same distance apart as the upper runs of theconveyors 10, 11 and 12 so that they may be alined therewith when intheir up position, as shown in dot and dash lines in Figure 2A, and areof suflicient width to receive the row of loaves pushed off the infeedconveyor 13 by pusher member 32.

The motive means for raising and lowering the elevator trays is providedby an air operated cylinder 102-,

rigidly secured in an upright position to and at one side of theframework of chamber B, by suitable means as mounting brackets 103 and104, best shown in Figure 3. On the free end of the piston rod 105 issecured a cross piece 106, Figures 3A and 5, one end of which carries apair of transversely spaced cam members 107 and 207, the function ofwhich will be described a little later on. The other end of the crosspiece 105 is secured to one run of each of a pair of transversely spacedendless chains 108 trained over a pair of transversely spaced uppersprocket members 109 mounted on an extension of shaft 39 and a pair oftransversely spaced lower sprocket members 110 mounted on a stub shaft111 journaled in a bracket 112 at one side of the chamber B framework.

Thus, through the operating connections just described, reciprocation ofpiston rod effects rotation of shaft 89 first in one direction and thenin the opposite direction, and since, as previously explained, theelevator trays 99, 100 and 101 are operatively connected with the sameshaft 89, they are alternately raised and lowered as a unit. Theconnection between the outer end of piston rod 105 and chains 108 andthe connection between the elevator trays 99, 100, 101 and the elevatorchains and 96 are so disposed that at one limit of the stroke of pistonrod 105, in the present instance its extended stroke, the elevator E isin its lowermost position with tray 99 at the level of or slightly belowthe level of the top run of infeed conveyor 13; while on the fullyretracted stroke of piston rod 105, the elevator E is in its uppermostposition with the trays 99, 100, 101 at the level of or slightly abovethe level of the top run of respective tunnel conveyors 10, 11, 12, asmay be seen best by referring to Figures 2 and 2A.

By making the diameter of sprockets 1109 half the diameter of theelevator sprockets 91, 92., the stroke of piston rod 105 is half thedistance traveled by the elevator between its uppermost and lowermostpositions. whereby a smaller cylinder may be employed than if the pistonrod 103 were directly connected with the elevator chains 95, 96,resulting in conserving space, the expense of larger equipment and asaving in compressed air. The two to one ratio may of course be alteredif desired- Air for operating the elevator E is supplied from a suitablesource to the upper and lower ends of the motor cylinder 102 throughrespective lines 113 and 114, arranged through four-wey valve 115 to bealternate pressure and exhaust lines, as shown in Figure 5. Theactuation of valve 115 is controlled by the operation of a ram 116, in amanner to be later described, and also by the operation of the pushermember 32 as will now be described.

Let it be assumed that the elevator has just completed its descent tothe position as illustrated in the drawings. To effect such descent thefour way valve 115 is forcibly retained by a cam 117 and a settoggle 118in position to provide communication between pressure supply line 119and line 114 leading to the lower end of cylinder 102, and to providecommunication between exhaust line 120 and line 113 leading from theupper end of cylinder 102.

The pusher member 32 now makes its forward stroke,

as previously described, to push a row of leaves from the infeedconveyor 13 onto the elevator tray 99. The

shaft 48, as viewed in Figures 5 and 7, is thus rotated in a clockwisedirection. Secured to the right hand end of the shaft 48,- as viewed inFigure 1, is a lever arm 121 to the free end of which is pivotallyconnected the lower end of a rod 122. The upper end of rod 122 isslidably supported in a bracket 123 which is pivotally carried by abracket 124 rigidly securedto a stationary framework, member. Near itsupper end, the rod 122 carries a pivoted pawl 125 which, upon clockwiserotation of shaft 48 and consequent downward movement of rod .122, willengage :1 lug 126 on set toggle 118. Due to its pivotal mounting, thepawl will thus freely pass by the,

lug 126 to a position therebeneath.

Now, on the retracting or rearward stroke of the pusher.

member 32, the shaft 48 will turn in a counterclockwise direction,moving the rod 122 and pawl 125-in an upward direction. The pawl125,.because of the stop memher 127, can not now, upon engagement withlug 126, freely pass by it but does so only upon breaking the hingedlymounted toggle 118. Upon breaking of the toggle 118, the spring pressedvalve 115 is then free to move to a position reversing the flow of airin the lines 113 and 114. The line 113 now becomes the pressure line andline 114 the exhaust line, whereby the elevator will move in an upwarddirection.

In its upward travel, it is necessary to successively stop the elevatorwhen the trays 100 and 101 are in alinement with the infeed conveyor 13in order that they may receive a row of loaves. This stopping of theelevator is accomplished through a pair of two way valves 128' and 129,as best shown in Figures 3A, 5 and 8.

With the elevator moving in an upward direction, the piston rod 105 andcams 107 and 207 carried thereby move in a downward direction, aspreviously explained. In descending, the earn 207 engages a pawl 130carried by the trip member 131, which in turn is carried by the lever132. The lever 132 is pivotally supported at its upper end, as at 133,Figure 8, on a stationary frame-like structure 134.

Engagement of the cam 207 with the pawl 130 causes the trip member 131to change the position of valve 128, closing both lines 113 and 114 andalso moves the pivotally mounted lever 132 to the position shown inFigure 9. Flow of pressure to the upper end of cylintier 102 and exhaustof pressure from the lower end thereof, is thus cut off and the elevatorwill stop. The valve 128 is so located that it will be actuated by thecam 207, when the elevator tray 100 is in alinement with infeed conveyor13. By cutting off both the pressure and exhaust lines to the cylinder102, thereby equalizing the pressure in both ends of the cylinder, theelevator trays are retained in perfect alinement with the infeedconveyor 13 with no tendency to creep.

On the next forward movement of the pusher member 32 whereby a row ofloaves is pushed onto elevator tray 100, an upwardly extendingunbalanced rod 134 is, through lever 135 which is secured at one end formovement with shaft 48 and pivotally connected at its other end, as at136, with the lower end of rod 134, pulled downwardly to bring theroller 137 beneath the lower end of the valve controlling lever 132. Aroller stop member 138 mounted in a guide 139 for the rod. 1.34.

limits the pivotal movement of unbalanced rod 134, to position it asshown in Figure 9.

On the retracting stroke of the pusher member 32, the rod 134 will moveupwardly and its roller 137 will engage the bottom of lever 132. Thelever 132, by reason of the slot 140 at its pivoted upper end, seeFigures 5 and 9, is therefore also moved in an upward direction, wherebypawl 130 is disengaged from cam 207, whereupon the spring pressed valve128 reassumes a position opening the pressure line 113 and exhaust line114. The cam 141 of rod 134, upon engagement with roller 138 effectsdisengagement of the roller 137 at the upper end of rod 134 from thelower end of lever 132,

a s and the lever 132 is free to drop down to its original position asin Figure 3A.

The elevator will then rise and it is again stopped when the lowermosttray 101 is alined with infeed conveyor 13. The means and the operationthereof to stop the elevator in such position and to restart it issimilar to the means described just above for stopping and starting theelevator when tray 100 is in alinernent with infeed conveyor 13 and neednot be described in detail. In so stopping the elevator, the cam 107engages pawl 142 carried by the trip member 143, which in turn iscarried by lever 144. The lever 144 is also provided with a slot 145,Figure 5, adjacent its upper pivoted end 146, Figure 8, whereby thelever 144 is movable upwardly upon engagement of roller 147 with thebottom of lever 144 as shown in Figure 9.

In order to permit the cams 207 and 107 to pass the pawls 130 and 142,respectively, on the upward stroke of the piston rod 105, which is thedownward travel of the elevator, without affecting the position ofvalves 128 and 129, the pawls 130 and 142 are pivotally mounted to pivotin an upward are from the position shown in Figures 3A and out of thepath of travel of the cams. Suitable stop means, not shown, normallyretains the pawls in the positions shown in Figures 3A and 5.

With the elevator trays 99, 100 and 101 now each filled with a row ofloaves, they will ascend to their uppermost position, whereupon ram 116will function to push the rows of loaves from the trays onto the tunnelconveyors 10, 11 and 12.

The ram 116 and its operation will now be described,

with particular reference to Figures 2A, 3A and 5. The ram 116 isprovided with a plurality of horizontal, verticaL ly spaced pushermembers 150, 151 and 152 extending transversely within chamber B andbeing of sufficient width to engage the rows of loaves on the elevatortrays 99, 100 and 101. The number of pusher members corresponds to thenumber of elevator trays and tunnel conveyors, in the present instancethree, and are spaced the same distance apart as are the elevator trays99, res and 101.

The ram 116 is mounted for reciprocating fore and aft movement, so thatas it moves forward from its rearmost position, as shown in Figure 2A,the pusher members 150, 151 and 152 will push the rows of loaves offelevator trays 99, 100 and 101, when the elevator is in its uppermostposition as shown in dot and dash lines, and onto the tunnel conveyors10, 11 and 12. The mounting for the ram 116 includes brackets 153secured to the opposite side frame members of the elevator Each of thebrackets 153 is provided on its inner side with a pair of longitudinallyspaced upper rollers 154- and a pair of similarly longitudinally spacedlower rollers 155. The upper roller 154 and the lower rollers 155 arespaced apart and cooperate to form ways for receiving longitudinallyextending flanges 156 formed with and projecting laterally from thesides of the ram 116, one pair of rollers and the flange on one side ofthe ram being shown in Figure 6. The rollers thus form a support andguide for permitting fore and aft movement of the ram 116.

The motive means for reciprocating the ram 116 is pro vided by an airoperated cylinder 157 which is pivotally mounted at one end on a bracket158 secured to one side of the frame of the elevator E. A connecting rod159 has at one end a pivotal connection with the free end of the pistonrod 160 of the cylinder 157 and at its other end a rigid connection witha transversely extending shaft 161 journaled in the brackets 45 (Figure2) and 112 (Figure 3), whereby oscillating motion is imparted to theshaft 161. Secured to the opposite ends of shaft 161 for oscillationtherewith are a pair of arms 162 (Figures 2, 2A) and 163 (Figures 3,3A). The free ends of the arms 162 and 163 are provided, respectively,with elongated slots 164 and 165 arranged to engage pins 166 and 167,respectively, which are secured to and extend laterally inward of theopposite sides of the ram 116. Thus, as the shaft 161 turns, first inone direction and then in the other, the arms 162 and 163 advance andretract the pusher members 150, 151 and 152 of the ram 116 across therespective elevator trays 99, and 101 to periodically push the rows ofloaves from the elevator trays onto the tunnel conveyors 10, 11 and 12.

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown diagrammatically, a pair of lines168 and 169 communicating at one of their respective ends with oppositeends of the cylinder 157 and arranged at their respective opposite endsthrough a four-way valve 170 mounted on bracket 153 (see Figure 2A), forselective communication with pressure supply line 171 and exhaust line172. The four way valve 170 is conventional in construction and is,therefore, not described. The means controlling the functioning of valve170 will now be described in detail.

With the elevator trays 99, 100, 101 in their down position, as shown inFigure 2, the valve 170 is spring pressed in a position to providecommunication between the pressure supply line 171 and line 169 leadingto the rear of cylinder 157, whereby the ram 116 is retained in itsretracted position. Now, when the elevator trays move to their upposition, as shown in dot and dash lines in Figure 2A, a cam arm 173carried by the elevator tray unit engages the upper end of a lever means174 pivotally supported on bracket 153, whereby the lower end of levermeans 17-? effects movement of the valve 170 from its normal position,to a position providing communication between the pressure supply line171 and line 168, and between exhaust line 172 and line 169. In thislatter position of the valve, the motive cylinder 157 will function toadvance the ram 116 in order, as previously described, to push the rowsof loaves from the trays 99, 100 and 101'. onto the tunnel conveyors 10,11 and 12.

At the completion of the advancing or forward stroke of the ram 116, atrip member 175 carried by the ram 116 engages and breaks a toggle 176which is carried by the elevator tray unit. The toggle 176 is pivotallyconnected to the free end of the cam arm 173, while the other end of thecam arm 173 is pivotally connected to the elevator tray unit. In the setposition of the toggle 176, the cam arm 173 is supported in a verticalposition to engage the upper end of lever means 174, as previouslydescribed. Now, when the toggle 176 is broken on the forward stroke ofthe ram 116, the cam arm 173 is pulled ivotally away from engagementwith the upper end of lever means 174, and spring pressed valve 170 ispermitted to return to its normal position, thereby reversing theoperation of the cylinder 157 and causing the ram 116 to be retracted toits normal position.

Also on the forward stroke of the ram 116, the shaft 161, which turns ina counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figures 5 and 7, swings thetoggle 118 about its pivotal connection with bracket to the positionshown in Figure 10 through a linkage arrangement. This linkage includesa lever 177 securely connected with shaft 161 for rotation therewith,and a link 17 .3 pivotally connected at one end with the lower end oftoggle 118 and pivotally connected at its opposite end with the free endof lever 177.

in Figure 7 the toggle 1155 is shown in its set position to conform withthe position of the eievator in its lowermost position. However, it willbe recalled from the previous description, that the toggle 110 wasbroken by the first retracting stroke of the pusher member 32. Thus, thetime that linkage 1'17, 178 moves the toggle 118 to the position shownin Figure 10, the toggle is actually broken and remains until the cam11'7 cliscngages from spring pressed valve 115. As soon as cam 117 isdiseng d from the spring pressed valve 115, the counterweight 1'19 setsthe toggle 110 as shown in Figure 10.

The ram 116 having completed its function of pushing the rows of loavesfrom the elevator trays onto the tun- 1 1 nel conveyors, the elevatortray unit is ready to descend to its lowermost position, and this isautomatically accomplished in the following manner.

On the retracting or rearward stroke of the ram 116, the shaft 161 turnsin a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 5 and 7. Through linkage177, 178, the now set toggle is moved from the position shown in Figureto the position shown in Figure 7. The cam 117 thereupon engages thevalve 115 changing its position to connect line 114 with pressure supplyline 119 and line 113 with exhaust line 120, whereupon the elevator willdescend.

It will be seen from the above description that we have provided acompletely automatic loading means, the various elements of which aresynchronized in their operation with the operation of the pusher member32.

The apparatus though consisting of a plurality of functioningmechanisms, is in reality a single machine, since the various mechanismsare coordinated in action, the functioning of one mechanism initiatingand controlling the functioning of another mechanism to maintain arepetitive cycle of timed relation operations. Thus, rotation of cam 64controls reciprocation of pusher bar 32, which in turn controls startingand stopping of conveyors 13 and 22, and reciprocation of the elevator;and reciprocation of the elevator and pusher bar 32 controlreciprocation of the ram 116. Failure of any one of the motions tocomplete its intended operation, brings about automatic stoppage of thenext succeeding motion, thereby protecting against damage of thearticles being handled and against breakage of the mechanism.

Except for the rate of operation of the conveyors 13 and 22 which areoperated by a separate motor and which can be suitably adjusted throughthe variable speed pulleys, the operation of the other mechanisms areautomatically maintained in timed relation without any adjustment beingrequired, upon change in the rate of operation of the prime mover.

This application is a division of our co-pending application filedNovember 15, 1951, Serial No. 256,436, now Patent No. 2,741,384.

We claim:

1. Article feeding and spacing mechanism comprising, a first conveyorfor conveying articles in an unbroken row, a second conveyor forreceiving successive articles from said first conveyor, actuating meansfor operating said second conveyor, a drive connection between saidconveyors for operating said first conveyor at a slower speed than saidsecond conveyor to space articles on said second conveyor, said driveconnection including a variable speed means for selectively varying theslower speed of said first conveyor with respect to the faster speed ofsaid second conveyor, and means operatively connected with said secondconveyor responsive to a predetermined linear travel thereof forinterrupting operation of said actuating means to collect on said secondconveyor a predtermined number of spaced articles in predeterminedspaced relation.

2. Article feeding and spacing mechanism comprising, a first conveyorfor conveying articles in an unbroken row, a second conveyor forreceiving successive articles from said first conveyor, actuating meansfor operating said second conveyor, a drive connection between saidconveyors for operating said first conveyor at a slower speed than saidsecond conveyor to space articles on said second conveyor, said driveconnection including a variable speed means for selectively varying theslower speed of said first conveyor with respect to the faster speed ofsaid second conveyor, a rotatably mounted cam operatively connected withsaid second conveyor to make one complete revolution for a predeterminedlinear travel of said second conveyor, and means responsive to said camat the end of a complete revolution thereof for interrupting operationof said actuating means to collect on said second conveyor apredetermined number of spaced articles in predetermined spacedrelation.

3. Article feeding and spacing mechanism comprising, a first conveyorfor conveying articles in an unbroken row, a second conveyor forreceiving successive articles from said first conveyor, actuating meansfor operating said second conveyor, a drive connection between saidconveyors for operating said first conveyor at a slower speed than saidsecond conveyor to space articles on said second conveyor, said driveconnection including a variable speed means for selectively varying theslower speed of said first conveyor with respect to the faster speed ofsaid second conveyor, said drive connection also including a normallyengaged clutch, a first means operatively connected with said secondconveyor responsive to a predetermined linear travel thereof forinterrupting operation of said conveyor actuating means to collect onsaid second conveyor a predetermined number of spaced articles inpredetermined spaced relation, and a second means operatively connectedwith said second conveyor for disengaging said clutch slightly inadvance of actuation of said first means whereby to stop said firstconveyor slightly in advance of said second conveyor.

4. Article feeding and spacing mechanism comprising, a first conveyorfor conveying articles in an unbroken row, a second conveyor forreceiving successive articles from said first conveyor, actuating meansfor operating said second conveyor, a drive connection between saidcon-' veyors for operating said first conveyor at a slower speed thansaid second conveyor to space articles on said second conveyor, saiddrive connection including a variable speed means for selectivelyvarying the slower speed of said first conveyor with respect to thefaster speed of said second conveyor, said drive connection alsoincluding a normally engaged clutch, a pair of rotatably mounted camsoperatively connected with said second conveyor to make one completerevolution for a predetermined linear travel of said second conveyor,means responsive to one of said cams at the end of a complete revolutionthereof for interrupting operation of said conveyor actuating means tocollect on said second conveyor a predetermined member of spacedarticles in predetermined spaced relation, and the other of said camsbeing disposed with respect to said first cam to disengage said clutchslightly in advance of actuation of said first cam whereby to stop saidfirst conveyor slightly in advance of said second conveyor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

